The work, which is being carried out under a formal partnering agreement, commenced on site in early January 2001 and is programmed to run for 2 years with a completion date of August 2003. It will yield a dramatic improvement to the external fabric of the structure, which had been progressively deteriorating over the past forty years due to constant battering from the elements.

CRL is acting as Main Contractor for the £3.7M external façade repair and refurbishment work being carried out on behalf of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which is spending a total of £12 million on upgrading the hospital over the next few years. The work is intended to improve the environment for the staff and patients, as well as reducing the hospital’s running costs and extending the life of the building.

CRL’s responsibility on the project includes the replacement of the old metal window frames with new fully double-glazed units, the repair of concrete panels, the installation of external wall insulation, the application of migrating corrosion inhibitors and the application of a protective and decorative coating. The full contract comprises other building works including demolition, mechanical and electrical and asbestos removal.

All work is being carried out whilst the hospital remains fully operational. In order to keep noise to a minimum, hydrodemolition is being used for the removal of defective areas of concrete and to further reduce patient inconvenience, a buffer zone of empty wards is being programmed ahead of the works.

"So far we have been impressed by the work, the smooth operation and the minimal disruption" commented Len Hartley, the Estate’s Project Manager. "Unlike most buildings, hospitals have special needs, such as ward relocation and hygiene requirements. Planning each phase of the operation in this respect is quite a task in itself".